Calculation of Stress Intensity Factors for Elliptical Cracks in Finite Bodies by Using the Boundary Weight Function Method

In this study, mode I stress intensity factors for a three-dimensional finite cracked body with arbitrary shape and subjected to arbitrary loading is presented by using the boundary weight function method. The weight function is a universal function for a given cracked body and can be obtained from any arbitrary loading system. A numerical finite element method for the determination of weight function relevant to cracked bodies with finite dimensions is used. Explicit boundary weight functions are successfully demonstrated by using the least-squares fitting procedure for elliptical quarter-corner crack and embedded elliptical crack in parallelepipedic finite bodies. If the stress distribution of a cut-out parallelepipedic cracked body from any arbitrary shape of cracked body subjected to arbitrary loading is determined, the mode I stress intensity factors for the cracked body can be obtained from the predetermined boundary weight functions by a simple surface integration. Comparison of the calculated results with some available solutions in the published literature confirms the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed boundary weight function method.